The Hoof Balancer

Book excerpt: The meaning of "balanced hooves" in the hoof care world is rife with unsubstantiated opinions and methods that compromise the natural integrity of the hoof and the ability of the horse to move naturally. Few agree on toe length, heel length, relative heel position to frog . . . relative lengths of the medial and lateral heels, front heels versus hind heels . . . on and on. Moreover, this widespread technical disparity continues endlessly by breed, competition, gait, and even hoof color! The wild horse model is clear, however, that there shouldn't be this type of incongruity at all. Nature has demonstrated unequivocally what the relationships are between the toe, quarters, heels and other structures of the capsule. Balancing the hoof, therefore, should never be left to chance, even with the most deformed hooves. Indeed, the complexities of capsule wryness, slipper toe, bull-nose, club foot, and under trimmed heels require that we have a clear path to balancing the hoof whatever its unnatural orientation. The Hoof Balancer provides us with a quick, easy, accurate, and efficient way to balance the hoof based on the wild hoof model. It is recommended for use by all hoof care practitioners in the field, particularly when confronted with extreme capsule deformity.